The Flaming Ice Cube had a full house for lunch in downtown Cleveland on a recent Thursday. You could laugh and wonder if everybody was on a break from pulling levers at the Horseshoe Casino's slot machines across the street. But why not?

Serious vegetarian and vegan dining choices are becoming destinations all over Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, meeting the demand of growing movements against eating meat, or, respectively, against eating animal products of all kinds, from milk to honey.

Cube is a rare all-vegan restaurant, and one that recently won national recognition for its veggie burger, served several different ways. It could be the only vegan joint in the area, but there are plenty of talented restaurants willing to please.

Chef-driven spots include Fahrenheit, Pura Vida, The Greenhouse Tavern, Happy Dog and Momocho, all in Cleveland. Look for Asian treatments at Ty Fun and Bac Asian Cuisine, both in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. And at a natural foods specialty store, Mustard Seed Market, in Solon and Akron.

Here are five in detail:

ALADDIN'S EATERY (Several locations across Northeast Ohio) Middle Eastern food, with its partnership in the Mediterranean Diet, aligns beautifully with the vegetable world. Lots of choices here, at this locally based chain, but our favorite is the Mujadara, a rice and lentil dish that is hearty and brightly herb-seasoned. It hardly seems like rice and beans. Fresh salad joins it in the pita pocket with the lemony house dressing and addictive toasted onions.

FIRE FOOD AND DRINK (13220 Shaker Square Cleveland, 44120, 216-921-3473) This smart and seductive spot caters to all tastes with a regular vegan entrée on the menu. It changes regularly, but look for an artful variety of flavors and textures on the same plate. Vegetarians won't want to miss the fresh, Roman-style pizzas with lots of classy toppings.

FLAMING ICE CUBE (140 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-263-1111) Bring on the meat-eating friends, since they'll find a lot of alternative satisfaction here. "Burgers" are house-made (also sold pre-cooked if you need a few for the cook-out), and their similarity to the richness and caramelization of a turkey burger will stop you in your tracks. (Chosen as one of the country's best in VegNews.) A full line of all-vegan items aims to please, from quinoa lettuce wraps with spicy peanut sauce to red velvet cupcakes.

ROOT CAFÉ (15118 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 44107, 216-226-4401) A vegetarian mecca for many, with its skilled techniques, attention to gluten-free and locally sourced ingredients. We loved the tender but crisp edges on the goat cheese and sun-dried tomato pizza. Others love the Burooto, a sandwich with roasted vegetables and "cream" sauce, and the house salad of vegan treats.

TOMMY'S (1824 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights 44118, 216-321-7757) This icon of counterculture eating has always kept the vegetarian faith. Middle Eastern foods are a specialty, and there are plenty of dishes featuring meat-substitutes. And there are the impeccable fries. Did we say fries? Worth repeating.

Have you tried out any of the spots on our list? What did you think And what's your favorite vegetarian restaurant? Tell us in the comments section below.